Another filler neck question

[John Axtell]

I know this filler neck problem has been discussed recently but all the fixes and after-market parts seem to be pre-1998 models.
I have a 2000 step-side XLT The metal part of the filler neck is all rusted out. Not sure about the rubber end, seems okay but once uncovered that may be bad also.
There seems to be plenty of after-market filler necks available but none for the model year 2000 and none at all for the stepside. Also, mine has the metal vent tube tee'd into it which has also rusted all to hell. Anyone have any suggestions for fixing this or where I might get a replacement other than Ford dealers.
Even a temporary fix to get me through NYState inspection would do.
Oh yeah, I checked all local junkyards-nothing!

 

[Explorin94]

Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. If no junkyards have the part you need then it sounds like you will have to go to the dealer for the part. Have you looked on LMC Truck? I don't know if they have that part but it is worth a try.

 

[John Axtell]

Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. If no junkyards have the part you need then it sounds like you will have to go to the dealer for the part. Have you looked on LMC Truck? I don't know if they have that part but it is worth a try.

My issue with buying from the dealer is that they want over $300.00 for what is essentially a radiator hose with a metal neck.
I'll know more as soon as I remove the bed. Right now I'm hoping that just maybe I can cut off and salvage enough of the fill end (the metal part that we put the gas pump nozzle in) to attach a gasolineproof rubber hose to and run the rest to the tank that way.

 

[odie1969]

This may be totally **** and wrong but you might be able to go to a exhaust shop and have them bend a tube out of stainless/alum.. that my fix for a while. and again I have no clue if stainless/alum. and fuel mix well. just a thought.

 

[metalmacguyver]

That would work fine as far as the material is concerned but a ridgid filler neck is not a good idea. The bed and frame flex alot and things move.


Where in NY are you? I have friends in northern NY.

 

[Mutant Pony]

If Ford hasn't discontinued it then you have no choice but, to buy it from Ford.
If you were a little closer, I could make you one(the metal part) by using exhaust pipe/bender and maybe some pieces from a different model. I could do it for less then $100.
The biggest problem is that it all has to be sealed to keep the CEL from coming on.
The ultimate solution would be to buy the Ford part, then have it powder coated so that it won't ever rust out again.

 

[John Axtell]

That would work fine as far as the material is concerned but a ridgid filler neck is not a good idea. The bed and frame flex alot and things move.


Where in NY are you? I have friends in northern NY.

Oneonta area. We get up to Potsdam a couple times a year during soccer season. My son is a Cortland goalkeeper.
And yes, I know the whole deal cannot be ridgid. What I'm currently thinking is to fabricate just the metal neck. This would probably not present too big a problem. The problem (as i see it now, before removing the bed) is reusing the very top where the gas pumg goes. I'm hoping that there will still be enough good steel there to cut it off and refasten to the fabricated pipe.
For now I am just spraying the bed bolts every day with PB Blaster. I'll give it a week of this and then get the bed off and see exactly what is what.

 

[John Axtell]

If Ford hasn't discontinued it then you have no choice but, to buy it from Ford.
If you were a little closer, I could make you one(the metal part) by using exhaust pipe/bender and maybe some pieces from a different model. I could do it for less then $100.
The biggest problem is that it all has to be sealed to keep the CEL from coming on.
The ultimate solution would be to buy the Ford part, then have it powder coated so that it won't ever rust out again.

Nonsense! there are always choices.
To tell you the truth I would much rather pay a local fabricator the $300.00 than to give it to Ford where they are selling a, maybe, $20.00 part for 15 times that amount. All because it is a part of the EPA controlled bullshit.
First item of business is to tear it apart and see exactly where I stand

 

[Mutant Pony]

Nonsense! there are always choices.
To tell you the truth I would much rather pay a local fabricator the $300.00 than to give it to Ford where they are selling a, maybe, $20.00 part for 15 times that amount. All because it is a part of the EPA controlled bullshit.
First item of business is to tear it apart and see exactly where I stand

I meant the only choice for a factory made part. I guess I should have been a little more clear on that.
It can be done by any halfway decent fabricator.
Good luck.
I've spent a lot of time in junkyards, I've seen fifty year old filler necks without a speck of rust, 5 year old ones rusted in two. It would not be hard to find a different filler neck that could be cut down to fit yours.

 

[John Axtell]

I meant the only choice for a factory made part. I guess I should have been a little more clear on that.
It can be done by any halfway decent fabricator.
Good luck.
I've spent a lot of time in junkyards, I've seen fifty year old filler necks without a speck of rust, 5 year old ones rusted in two. It would not be hard to find a different filler neck that could be cut down to fit yours.

In our rural part of upstate NY if it snows 3 inches, the highway dept pours an equal 3 inches of salt on top of it. This in itself limits the local junkyards as a source for anything that rusts.
A bit off topic but what really pisses me off is that this truck is used mainly in the woods and only occasionly on the highways. I bet I didn't put 1000 miles on last year. But, I still have to register it and go through the damn inspection.

 

[Mutant Pony]

We have just as much salt and rust as you. Some years, more. I've seen cars from the 40s that have been here all there lives and are in better shape than cars from the 90s. It's all in the metal and prep. Some parts just don't rust as bad as others. You would be amazed if you looked carefully at a junkyard.
You definatly don't want a rusted out filler neck, Cel or not. It is an open invitation to water and dirt contamination in the fuel system.
I've repaired 2 completely different vehicles with that problem. 1 was an f-350 that the Ford dealer couldn't figure out. They sent it to me after putting 6 fuel pumps in it. I put a $35 FORD fuel neck on it and cleaned the tank out. I now have a customer for life.